Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) is preparing to reinforce the Maldives’ global tourism presence at ITB Berlin 2026, with an expanded programme that includes the return of the Maldivian Night and a dedicated international press conference, as part of its strategic preparations toward Visit Maldives Year 2027. The prestigious travel trade exhibition will be held from March 3 to 5 at Messe Berlin, widely recognised as the world’s largest travel industry gathering, bringing together tourism leaders, destinations, and global travel stakeholders under one platform.
At ITB Berlin 2026, the Maldives will once again present its tourism industry through a dynamic national pavilion under the globally recognised destination brand “Maldives… The Sunny Side of Life.” The pavilion will highlight the country’s diverse tourism offerings, reflecting the continued evolution of the Maldives as a premium destination known for its natural beauty, high-end hospitality, sustainability initiatives, and personalised visitor experiences. Strong participation from tourism industry stakeholders is expected to further strengthen business-to-business partnerships, expand collaboration opportunities, and support sustainable growth in visitor arrivals across key international markets.
A central highlight of this year’s participation is the reintroduction of the Maldivian Night, an exclusive invitation-only event designed to celebrate the essence of Maldivian hospitality and cultural identity. The evening gathering will bring together leading international tour operators, airline partners, media representatives, travel trade executives, and senior industry stakeholders in a setting that showcases the warmth, authenticity, and innovation that define the Maldivian tourism experience. The event reflects the Maldives’ continued focus on relationship-building and long-term collaboration with global partners who contribute significantly to the destination’s success.
Co-hosted in partnership with Bank of Maldives (BML), the Maldivian Night will also feature the unveiling of BML Swipe, an advanced digital payment solution aimed at enhancing transaction convenience across resorts and islands. The introduction of this technology demonstrates the country’s commitment to improving visitor accessibility and modernising service delivery through digital innovation, supporting a seamless and efficient travel experience for international guests as the Maldives advances toward Visit Maldives Year 2027.
In parallel with the evening programme, Visit Maldives will convene a high-level international press conference during ITB Berlin 2026, where a major announcement is expected to be delivered to the global travel industry. While specific details have not yet been disclosed, the announcement is anticipated to represent an important step in the Maldives’ long-term tourism strategy and signal the next phase of its global positioning beyond the Visit Maldives Year 2027 initiative. The press conference underscores the destination’s forward-looking approach and its commitment to maintaining strong visibility in an increasingly competitive international tourism landscape.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, noted that ITB Berlin remains a cornerstone of the organisation’s global marketing strategy. He emphasised that the return of the Maldivian Night alongside the international press conference reflects renewed ambition and confidence within the Maldivian tourism sector, highlighting both the celebration of existing partnerships and the sharing of a clear vision for the future of the destination.
The European market, particularly German-speaking countries, continues to play a significant role in sustaining tourism performance in the Maldives. In 2025, Germany ranked among the leading source markets with 167,822 visitor arrivals, while Switzerland and Austria maintained strong positions among the top fifteen markets. Visit Maldives continues to align its promotional strategies with European traveller preferences, placing strong emphasis on experiences such as world-class diving, wellness and spa retreats, family-oriented travel, and environmentally responsible tourism practices that resonate with modern travellers.
Through its enhanced participation at ITB Berlin 2026, Visit Maldives aims to further strengthen international engagement, deepen strategic alliances, and reinforce the Maldives’ reputation as a safe, sustainable, and premium holiday destination. The expanded presence reflects a broader vision to elevate the destination’s global appeal while ensuring that tourism development continues to support innovation, sustainability, and exceptional guest experiences across the nation’s renowned island resorts.
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